“Anne is a pioneer in her field and we are thrilled she will be channeling her vast intellect and creativity into this position,” said UCS President Ken Kimmell.

Kapuscinski is a leader in sustainability science, which studies the interactions between the natural world and social institutions such as economics and policy—and how those interactions support the goals of meeting present and future generations’ needs, reducing poverty, and conserving the planet’s life support systems. Kapuscinski’s research focuses on integrated food and energy systems.

She replaces Jim McCarthy, Alexander Agassiz professor of biological oceanography at Harvard University and past president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, who served as UCS board chair for six years.

“Jim has led UCS through a remarkable period of growth,” said Kimmell. “We’ll miss his vision and unflagging energy but are glad he will continue his involvement on the board.”

Kapuscinski has been a scientific advisor to the U.S. secretary of agriculture under three administrations, as well as to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, World Health Organization, European Union Food Safety Agency, and state of Minnesota. She has served on several U.S. National Academy of Sciences committees and received numerous awards for her work, including an honor award from former U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman and a distinguished service award from the Society for Conservation Biology. She joined UCS’s board of directors in 2002.

As a professor, Kapuscinski said, she’s excited to help connect UCS with a younger generation of scientists, whose enthusiasm for sustainability she witnesses firsthand in students’ research. “I’ve seen a major upswing of student involvement in these issues,” she said. “I feel I’m well-positioned to give feedback as UCS staff expands their reach to younger scientists.”

Overall, Kapuscinski said, she is honored to chair the UCS board. “I deeply value how effective UCS is—synthesizing the best science, conducting insightful analyses, communicating incredibly well, and making science-driven recommendations. It’s a combination that leads to significant, needed changes in the policy arena.”